Bio

Russell Sage College Athletics announced the elevation of Matt McGowan to a full-time Assistant Baseball Coach, effective July 1, 2026.

McGowan, who spent the 2025 and 2026 seasons on the RSC Coaching Staff in a part-time capacity, serves as the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.

The Gators had their finest campaign thus far in 2026. RSC (37-8), the Empire 8 Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions, qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history this spring.

"I am incredibly excited to serve the Russell Sage Baseball Program now in full capacity as an Assistan Coach," commented McGowan at the time of his promotion. "I want to sincerely thank Head Coach Matt Marsh, Director of Athletics Jim Lyons, and Vice President for Student Life Trish Cellemme for their trust and belief in me. We are continuing to build something special within this program, and I'm grateful to continue contributing to its growth and success. I look forward to growing our student-athletes on and off the field and while building on the strong foundation we've already established together. Thank you and Go Gators!

"I am incredibly excited for both Matt McGowan and our program that Coach McGowan has been elevated to Full-Time Pitching Coach," commented Marsh, the 2026 D3Baseball.com Region III Coach of the Year. "He will now make an even bigger impact in player development as well as in recruiting and operations. We will be better for it. This was a product of all of his work and effort into our program as well as the incredible support of our administration. This is truly a special place that wants to continue to pursue the very best experience for our student-athletes."

McGowan helped the RSC pitching staff start register 316 strikeouts and a .245 opposing batting average across the historic campaign. Under his guidance, senior Evan Grimes was chosen a first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and D3Baseball.com. The southpaw, the first RSC student-athlete to earn first-team All-American honors, was voted the Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Year,. He went 7-2 with two saves, tallied 80 strikeouts, the most in the E8, and a 2.92 ERA across 69.2 innings.

The Russell Sage Coaches were chosen the E8's 2026 Baseball Coaching Staff of the Year for their efforts.

RSC, which came in 12th in NPI, was ranked 30th in the final ABCA National Poll. The Gators, which completed just their fifth season as a program, also won the first NCAA Tournament game for RSC Athletics, a 7-4 home victory vs. Trinity on May 16.

McGowan played collegiately at SUNY Brockport where he competed in NCAA Regionals and was a significant contributor to their starting pitching rotation. He began his college career at Siena College and Dutchess CC.